After entering the courtyard, Leo discovered it was quite another world inside. The surface buildings were unremarkable, but they led to a spacious underground trading venue. Nearly a thousand cultivators had gathered, the venue buzzing with noise. Around the perimeter, private booths partitioned by spiritual wood were already occupied—the accountant at the entrance hadn't mentioned them, meaning they'd been reserved long ago.

  With a five-spirit-stone entry fee per cultivator and nearly a thousand present, the organizers raked in over five thousand stones in a single day—practically robbery. A few cultivators eyed the proceedings greedily, but when the auctioneer and two Foundation Establishment cultivators mounted the platform, silence fell. Two Foundation seniors on display; even the greedy thought twice.

  "Esteemed fellow daoists, welcome to today's auction. I am your auctioneer, Ziven. Some of you may grumble about the five-stone entry fee, but I assure you, the treasures to come will prove it well worth your while." Ziven smiled, tapping a small copper hammer against a gong. "Our auction features ten spiritual items. Let us begin with the first. A fourth-grade defensive talisman, the Five Elements Spirit Armor Talisman! It can last the time it takes an incense stick to burn, or withstand a full-strength strike from a magic artifact. Starting bid: two thousand low-grade spirit stones. Minimum increment: one hundred."

  "A fourth-grade defensive talisman?" Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd.

  Leo's eyes narrowed. A fourth-grade defensive talisman—clearly prepared for the Bloody Battlefield. Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't enter, lest their battles collapse the realm. Fourth-grade offensive talismans, equivalent to a Foundation strike, were banned. But defensive talismans lacked offensive power.

  Its formidable defense could withstand three magic artifact strikes. For those entering the battlefield, it was practically an extra life. No Qi Refining cultivator could survive an artifact strike.

  The price, however, was steep: two thousand low-grade stones, for only an incense stick's duration. Even Foundation seniors would hesitate. It was a one-time consumable, nearly as costly as an artifact itself. Foundation cultivators, though wealthier, spent astronomical sums on pills and cultivation.

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  "Buying a chance to live is worth it. I'll take it: two thousand one hundred!" A pale-faced youth called out, despite the cost.

  "Interested as well. Two thousand two hundred." A middle-aged man, arm around a beauty, drawled lazily.

  "Then you'll be disappointed. Two thousand three hundred." The youth retorted.

  "Don't be so sure. You're not the only one with stones. Two thousand five hundred!" The man chuckled.

  "Excellent bidding! Two thousand five hundred, going once... twice... Any advance? Going to bidder fifty-three!" Ziven coaxed.

  "Two thousand six hundred!" The youth hesitated, then gritted his teeth.

  "Two thousand six hundred! Higher?"

  Leo pondered. His Ice Silk Armor blocked spirit artifacts well, but not magic artifacts. His boundary space held many stones, but stones meant nothing if he died. A Foundation Establishment Pill was worth any price. "Three thousand!" He called out directly. Protracted bidding would only drive the price higher. Better to show resolve.

  "The quiet one makes his move! Three thousand low-grade stones!" Ziven exclaimed dramatically. "Any advance? If not, this rare fourth-grade talisman—the only one in today's auction—goes to him."

  "Three thousand one hundred!" The pale youth glared.

  "Three thousand five hundred!" Leo countered without hesitation.

  Murderous intent flashed in the youth's eyes. He would have raised further, but a companion restrained him. After a moment's struggle, he sat back, fuming.

  "Magnificent! Three thousand five hundred, going once! Twice! Sold!" Ziven's hammer fell.

  "Three thousand five hundred for a fourth-grade defensive talisman? What a waste." A mix of mockery and envy rippled through the crowd.

  Leo exhaled. Wasteful, perhaps, but worth it.

  The second item was a top-grade defensive spirit artifact, the Blazing Gold Armor. Starting bid: three hundred stones. Leo had no interest. It was sturdy but heavy. His Ice Silk Armor matched its defense and was far lighter. He went to the payment counter, collected his talisman, and stowed it carefully.

  "Fellow daoist, a moment." The accountant from the entrance smiled, stopping him.

  "Yes?" Leo frowned.

  "A VIP token from our establishment. Should you wish to attend future auctions, you'll pay no entry fee and may reserve a private booth in advance." The accountant offered.

  "We'll see." Leo shook his head and left. After spending thousands, entry fees were trivial. A booth or the main hall made little difference.

  Back in the auction hall, the Blazing Gold Armor had just sold for nine hundred stones to a fierce-looking man. A high price, but top-grade defensive artifacts were rare. With the Bloody Battlefield approaching, such prices were unsurprising.